Trigger Warning: This article includes a discussion of alleged child abuse, with details.
Meghan Markle’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Sr., has been arrested in Florida on charges related to child sexual abuse material, according to reports. The arrest follows an investigation into allegations involving material allegedly discovered among his belongings in the Philippines.
Sources report Thomas Markle Sr.’s arrest in connection with allegations involving child sexual abuse material
According to The Independent, the 82-year-old father of the Duchess of Sussex was arrested by federal agents in Florida on Friday, November 6. The Associated Press also reported that people familiar with the investigation confirmed his arrest and said the charges relate to child sexual abuse material.
The investigation reportedly began after his 60-year-old son, Thomas Markle Jr., said he discovered alleged child abuse material among his father’s belongings at their former home in Cebu City, Philippines. He reportedly turned the material over to authorities and contacted the FBI. Philippine authorities are also investigating the allegations.
Markle Sr. has denied possessing any such material. Last month, the retired television lighting and photography director dismissed the allegations as “sick lies.” He told the Daily Mail, “I have never downloaded anything like that in my life.” He also denied ever downloading pornography onto his computers, saying, “Never. Never. Never. I have never done that.”
The Daily Mail reported that Thomas Jr. had discovered “hundreds” of disturbing thumbnail images on a computer’s screensaver. He also alleged that he had seen a video involving a young girl in a sexual act.
Speaking about the allegations last month, Meghan said, “I hope it can now be understood that, despite certain media publications’ distortion over the years, any distance from my father and my choice to not allow him to have contact with our children was for one reason: to protect them.”
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
